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Ecological Investigations of Chukars in Western Utah

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Ecological Investigations of Chukars in Western Utah Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2006-07-11 Ecological Investigations of Chukars in Western Utah Randy T. Larsen Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Animal Sciences Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Larsen, Randy T., "Ecological Investigations of Chukars in Western Utah" (2006). Theses and Dissertations. 934. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/934 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF CHUKARS (ALECTORIS CHUKAR) IN WESTERN UTAH By Randy T. Larsen A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of Plant and Animal Sciences Brigham Young University August 2006 Copyright © 2006 Randy T. Larsen All Rights Reserved BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY GRADUATE COMMITTEE APPROVAL of a thesis submitted by Randy T. Larsen This thesis has been read by each member of the following graduate committee and by a majority vote has been found to be satisfactory. _______________________ ______________________________________ Date Jerran T. Flinders, Chair _______________________ ______________________________________ Date Clayton M. White _______________________ ______________________________________ Date David G. Whiting BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY As chair of the candidate’s graduate committee, I have read the thesis of Randy T. Larsen in its final form and have found that (1) its format, citations, and bibliographical style are consistent and acceptable and fulfill university and department style requirements; (2) its illustrative materials including figures, tables, and charts are in place; and (3) the final manuscript is satisfactory to the graduate committee and is ready for submission to the university library. __________________________ ____________________________________ Date Jerran T. Flinders Chair, Graduate Committee Accepted for the Department _____________________________________ Von D. Jolley Graduate Coordinator Accepted for the College _____________________________________ Rodney J. Brown Dean, College of Biology and Agriculture ABSTRACT ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF CHUKARS (ALECTORIS CHUKAR) IN WESTERN UTAH Randy T. Larsen Department of Plant and Animal Sciences Master of Science This thesis presents three separate manuscripts in chapter format dealing with the ecology of Chukars (Alectoris chukar) in western North America. All three manuscripts have been formatted for publication in professional journals. Chapter one confirms discovery of ingested lead pellets in Chukars across a broad region of western Utah including all four western counties sampled. Prevalence rates were 1.9% (n=105) for crops and 10.7% (n=75) of gizzards showing no evidence of penetration wounds. Ingestion is likely related to grit size preferences that are consistent with common shot sizes. The second chapter describes watering patterns and water-site selection of Chukars. Chukars watered during daylight hours with a modal hour from 1100 hours to 1200hours. Annual patterns suggest no use of water sources from November to May with first visits occurring in June of each year and last visits in October. Shrub canopy cover was the only variable to discriminate between use and non-use watering sources (P < 0.01). Cross validation showed a predictive success rate of 84%. Significant differences were found between use and non-use sites in terms of protective cover (P < 0.01), but not total cover (P > 0.05). Chukars were found to have a shrub canopy threshold near 11%; water sources meeting this threshold received use, whereas those not meeting this threshold did not. Chapter three challenges several claims postulating negative conservation implications relative to exotic Chukars in North America. These claims were proven to be unfounded with no evidence of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) dispersal despite widespread utilization. Furthermore, guzzlers designed to benefit Chukar populations were heavily utilized by native species and only slightly (two species at three sites) by other exotics. These three manuscripts illuminate several areas of Chukar ecology and represent a significant advancement in our understanding of this bird and its management. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is the culmination of efforts by many people who deserve thanks. Research was made possible through financial contributions from multiple agencies and groups. The graduate committee—Dr. Flinders in particular—are thanked for their guidance and tutelage along with Dean Mitchell of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Dozens of volunteers donated countless hours of time; Ernie Perkins, Jim Gaskill, Travis Proctor, and John Staley were essential components of the large volunteer effort deserving individual mention. Family and friends—especially my wife and son— provided much need support and encouragement. Thank you, all! TABLE OF CONTENTS AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT THESIS................................................................iii ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..........................................................................................vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................................................viii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES.............................................................................x CHAPTER 1. GRIT SIZE PREFERENCES AND CONFIRMATION OF INGESTED LEAD PELLETS IN CHUKARS (ALECTORIS CHUKAR) AUTHOR PAGE............................................................................................................12 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................13 METHODS .....................................................................................................................13 RESULTS .......................................................................................................................14 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................14 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................16 LITERATURE CITED .................................................................................................18 CHAPTER 2. WATERING PATTERNS AND WATER SITE-SELECTION BY CHUKARS IN WESTERN UTAH AUTHOR PAGE............................................................................................................23 ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................24 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................25 METHODS .....................................................................................................................26 RESULTS .......................................................................................................................31 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................32 viii CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................36 LITERATURE CITED .................................................................................................37 CHAPTER 3. CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS OF CHUKARS (ALECTORIS CHUKAR) IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA AUTHOR PAGE............................................................................................................50 ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................51 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................52 METHODS .....................................................................................................................54 RESULTS .......................................................................................................................57 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................59 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................63 LITERATURE CITED .................................................................................................64 ix LIST TABLES AND FIGURES CHAPTER 1 Table 1. Number of Utah Chukars with ingested lead pellets in gizzards and crops by County..........................................................................................................................................21 Table 2. Fractionation of sieved grit from Chukar gizzards & equivalent shot sizes.................22 CHAPTER 2 Figure 1. Relative percentages of each year’s total summer droppings at each count interval .........................................................................................................................................43 Figure 2. Histogram of daily watering
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